Nebraska Parolee Accused of Murdering Omaha Woman

The stepfather of a young Omaha woman whose body was found in a ravine in Fremont over the weekend is speaking about the tragedy. 

Police believe Jeanna Wilcoxin was picked up by her alleged killer Monday night at Christie Heights Park in South Omaha.  William Way, told 6 News she stopped by their North Omaha home with the suspect in the van.  She said she was picking up a few things.

"I didn't say 'goodbye' and 'I love you," Way says. Omaha detectives said they believe Wilcoxin was killed a short time later, in Fremont. 

"Nobody in the world deserves anything like this. I don't care who they are. My daughter, whoever, they don't deserve this," Way told 6 News. 

That suspect has been identified as Jeremiah Connelly, who is on parole for attempted kidnapping. He spent 13 years in prison on a number of charges, including trying to kidnap a jogger at gunpoint  in 2005.

"As I went to pass him, that's when he showed me the gun he had and told me to get in the car with him," the jogger told 6 News in 2005.

She escaped.  Connelly kept a running list of his crimes based on the alphabet, trying to fill in as many of the 26 letters as possible. Connelly also robbed a gas station and when he was sentenced he lunged at the judge and punched him.  

Way says his wife tried to talk Wilcoxin out of going. "She came in and changed clothes and left. That's the last time I've seen my daughter," Way said. 

Connelly was booked for First Degree Murder, Tampering With Evidence, Theft by Unlawful Taking and Willful Reckless Driving.   He was arrested during a traffic stop where he hinted that there was a deceased woman, leading police to find Wilcoxin, who leaves behind a four year old son.


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